In my 4th week post-op with VSG bowel problems

Hi everyone,

    Well like I said I'm in my 4th week post-op and things aren't to great. Except the losing weight part. Prior to surgery I  couldn't have to much artificial sugar it didn't agree with me. I apologize for being blunt but I heard some people go through this and need advice. So for about a week now I've been having problems with my bowels first it was diarrhea then just SUPER soft. I am still on full liquids for one more week. Everything I put in my mouth including water is giving me gas and causing nausea . It doesn't matter how slow I sip or eat when I am eating it is causing gas. To the point I can't lay down flat because of the gas and if I'm in a car going over bumps I can feel it moving around. I am afraid to go out. Never know if what wants to come out is gas or something else. I've tried gas ex and that helps but how much can I have of that. When I started the protein shakes I bought nectar flavored. Now I am taking nectar unflavored because it doesn't have any of that artificial sugar in it and stopped any thing that has it in it except for the vitamins. I am stopping them today just for one day. I've taken Imodium that hasn't helped either. The nutritionist said try fiber so I am trying that but it fills me up so much. So this question goes out to anyone who has this problem also. Do you know if this will slow down after I start eating solid food or is this forever? People have said liquids in liquids out. But in my opinion I think in my case it is from the artificial sugar. One more thing I've been on antibiotics for 3 days (today is my last day) not because of an illness but because I had surgery to fix my thumb yesterday. I am taking oxycodone for pain and pain meds are suppose to bind you up (not yet). So maybe it's the antibiotics but like I said it's been a week. Regardless of the gas I am getting in most of my water and all my protein. Any advice will help. Thanks to everyone in advance for any advice.

you could have become lactose intolerant after your surgery. Try an egg white protein,Jay Robb has a good one and almond milk,if you use milk for your shakes. Try that for a week and stop other milk products and see if it makes a difference. 

I was not tolerant of the whey protein and had to switch over the Robb's Egg White protein. I love the chocolate with 1/2 banana. I'm still on liquids until tomorrow. It will be 2 weeks and I can graduate to puree. I've also tried his Vanilla and added 1 Tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa with 1/2 banana and its wonderful too. My surgeon said to start taking fiber. You might want to ask your surgeon. Hope you fill better soon. A few months from now, we'll look back and it will only be a memory.

Liquids in, liquids out. For many the fluid diet phase causes this or to the other extreme of nothing coming ou****ch the lactose as suggested, try a different protein... but it might just be that you need solid food?

I read a post on here that said Fennel Tea really helped with her gas when nothing else would. You can buy the tea bags pre-made, or try like she did- ground up some fennel seeds in her pantry, boiled, strained and drank.

I'm pre-op but I bought some just in case!

I would also look to an intolerance.  Switch your shakes for a non-whey protein.  Mix them with something other than what you're using now.  

It might change when you progress to pureed foods.